I went to the Springville Public library open house last Friday night. Pam Vaughn, the Library Director, spoke, as did the mayor. There was a live band, the highlight of the evening for me. People were able to mingle, tour the new building, and celebrate the day. There is a stream running on one side of the property and from upstairs, one can look down and see the stream and the trees.  Some of the highlights of the building:

• The entry is breathtaking
• Lots of vibrant colors throughout
• Computer area with large screens
• Colorful children’s area with huge mobiles overhead
• Comfortable space for storytime/ events
• Teen area with lots of books and resources, right by the computer area
• Huge reception area upstairs, with room to grow for the library
• Very comfortable and cool staff area

My biggest takeaway: This is a beautiful library that will be an important community asset for many years to come. It shows that Springville City is committed to an informed, educated citizenry.

Did you hear? OCLC’s Innovation Lab is going to start a new project: a web presence for every library. They will focus on the small libraries in America. It’s pretty exciting and offers some real possibilities to stand-alone’s that want to get a site!

I’m so excited! I got a new iPod the other day and it’s pretty sweet if I must say so myself. I wanted to listen to a book while doing other stuff, so I went to Pioneer: Utah’s Online Library and jumped on the Overdrive link. I logged in and found a book I’ve been hankering to read for some time: Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder.

It would have cost:

$8.89 on Kindle

$21.00 on Audible.com

$23.95 on iTunes

But I got it for free, compliments of Pioneer: Utah’s Online Library, which is partnered by Utah State Library and the Public Libraries in Utah. That’s why a person in any part of Utah can go to Pioneer, compliments of their local public library, and get downloadable audiobooks and ebooks at no cost to them.

It was painless to use, easier than ever before due to recent changes in the Overdrive platform. Utah State Library will be having training soon on how to use this service. Check our website to register.

View the full archive, slides, and more

Colleen:  Thanks so much for the great workshops, and for all that USL does for rural libraries.  Our library is looking better and serving better than ever before!  Thanks again for all you do.   I will end with that note about the benefits of the web and workshops.

Garland City does not have a web site yet.  We are rural and behind the times.   Because USL provided the means for our Library to have a web site, the city now has access to information through the Garland Public Library.  The number of hits on the site last year was unbelievable!  Each year the library board sponsors a ‘fun run’ in conjunction with the city’s annual celebration.  This site will now be used with advertising as a source for information and sign up.  Thank you so much for providing this great service to our growing community.  Staff attends every possible workshop to keep us undated and informed on maintaining the site.  Each time we leave with even more valuable information to provide better information through the library web site.   THANK YOU!
Teresa Clark
Garland Public Library

May 13,  10-11 am Mountain Time:  Leading in Difficult Times (SirsiDynix Institute)

As a library system director I get asked for advice regularly, but in the last few months the requests have been growing louder. How do I control the fear, what is leadership in tough times all about, why is inaction not an option this time around? Join Kitty Pope as she walks through the process and the message which is all about hope and courage.  Register:  http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=112

May 13, 12-1 pm Mountain Time: Push, Pull, Delight: My Library, My Collection, My Expert (Library Journal Webinar)

Push, Pull, Delight features a panel of collection, outreach and marketing experts who will discuss methods being used in their libraries to deepen and extend services and collections to patrons with ever growing expectations, and information appetites. Register:  http://www.libraryjournal.com/webcasts/48747/Webcasts.html

May 13, 12-1 pm Mountain Time: Spanish Language Outreach Success Stories (WebJunction Webinar)

Join three Montana librarians for a one-hour free webinar featuring real-world examples of successful outreach. Amy Ling (North Valley Public Library), Marie Habener (Dillon Public Library) and Molly Ledermann (Missoula Public Library) will present the work they have done to sustain the momentum of WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach project, and discuss their ongoing strategies to assess community needs, make their libraries more welcoming, develop programming, and foster connections with Spanish-speaking communities. Montana librarians became involved with Spanish Language Outreach through participation in workshops in seven Montana communities. Since then, they have used the MTSLO blog to showcase those who continue to provide outreach activities, services and programs for Spanish Speakers in their communities. Register: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

May 15, 12-1 pm Mountain Time:  ALA Connections Salon: Education and Recruitment (OPAL)

Join us for an informal conversation about educating and recruiting library workers for the 21st century. Register:  http://www.opal-online.org/progschrono.htm

May 15, 2-3 pm Mountain Time: Introduction to Markup Languages (BCR)

Did you know that the term “markup” has actually been around for centuries? It is historically a publishing term, where early original manuscripts were “marked up” in preparation for printing. What does markup mean in this present technical age? Come decode the coding of markup languages like SGML, HTML, CSS, and XML. More importantly, learn about their impact on library and patron services. No “techie” experience required! Register:

http://www.bcr.org/training/schedule/programdetail.php?programid=353

May 27, 1-2 pm Mountain Time: Hazardous Substances Data Bank, Haz-Map, and WISER (National Library of Medicine)

Hazardous Substances Data Bank, Haz-Map, and WISER. The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region is presenting a new series of online classes. Once a month in 2009, liaisons will present information and exercises on various databases from the National Library of Medicine in an hour-long web conference. All classes are free and no registration is required. You will simply need 1) a computer with Internet access and 2) a phone (the system will call you – free of charge).   To join the webinar, go to: https://webmeeting.nih.gov/mcrupdate/ on the day of the program.

This has been a super value to our library as we did not have a website until this project. We would not have had the money to hire a professional or even have our technician spend the time on creating one for us. This is something that we have control over and can update on our schedule- not have to wait for someone else or have to meet a deadline that doesn’t fit. We have had many comments from patrons on the value of our site. It is a great step in keeping up with the times. We are so grateful for the ability to do the work on our website ourselves and for the great service it is to the community.
Juliene Parrish
Richmond Public Library